Metropolitan AME Press Room

Restoretogether.com, a Global Website for Positive Social Change and Collaborative Eradication of Poverty, and the Historic Metropolitan AME Church of Washington, DC announce 21st Century Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC (April 7, 2014) - There is an all-out assault on the poor. And that assault is global, systemic, digital, immoral, and effective. These factors and many others conjoin to make these very trying, desperate, and difficult times for the former middle class and the poor – and especially the growing numbers of urban poor of all ethnic and racial groups. But there is now an accessible and digital on-line community in restoretogether.com that allows extensive organizing and resource collaboration toward rapid and comprehensive solutions for those in crisis or in multi-dimensional need.

Dubois Joins Metropolitan A.M.E. in Honoring King and Mandela

(Washington, D.C.) Rev. Joshua Dubois, former Special Assistant to President Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, will deliver a special sermon at the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church as it celebrates “Martin Luther King, Jr./Nelson Mandela” Sunday on January 19, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The church is located at 1518 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, only a few blocks from the White House.

Rev. Dubois, a longtime spiritual adviser to the President during both terms, and extending back to his tenure as Senator, recently released a book entitled, “The President’s Devotional,” a collection of 365 of what he considered the best readings and prayers he provided the President every morning. Known as the “Pastor-in-Chief,” Dubois speaks regularly about faith, race, culture and reconciliation on MSNBC, CNN, in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and elsewhere. He will join Metropolitan’s Senior Pastor, the Reverend Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, in uplifting the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela during the King holiday weekend.

The University Chapel Choir is the premier liturgical choral ensemble on campus and has established its reputation for providing excellence in sacred music both on campus and off. The choir sings a wide variety of SATB choral music from Palestrina to Durufle to Tavener. Membership is open to all who are associated with the university.

The Voice Gospel Choir is a non-audition, completely student-led choir. Due to the grace of God, the choir continues to grow abundantly. Even though The Voice consists of people from all different ethnic backgrounds, different branches of Christianity, and walks of life, we share one common love, and that is the love of God.

Sunday – November 17th, at 10:00 a.m. – One ServiceOfficial Homecoming Service with Bishop John R. Bryant

Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant, Bishop of the 4th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. church and guest ministers Rev. Dr. Frank M. Reid, III (Bethel A.M.E. Church, Baltimore); Rev. Althea J. Hayward (Hemingway Memorial A.M.E. Church, District Heights, MD); Rev. Matthew L. Watley (Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, N. Campus, Allentown, MD, will join Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Braxton along with the membership of Metropolitan, the A.M.E. family and the community to join in this special moment in the church’s history.

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About the Historic Metropolitan AME Church: Founded in 1838, Metropolitan—the “National Cathedral of African Methodism”— has a rich history of pioneering change, inspiring social activism and promoting advocacy to achieve justice for all people. It was formed by two existing churches: Israel Bethel A.M.E., founded in 1821 and Union Bethel A.M.E., also founded in 1838. The parent A.M.E. Church movement grew out of an anti–segregation protest in Philadelphia in 1787. Similarly, both Israel Bethel and Union Bethel began as a result of dissatisfaction among African Americans over racial segregation here in Washington at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. The name of the Church was officially changed to Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in 1872 at the Baltimore Conference.

WASHINGTON; Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., noted author, lawyer, investment banker and former civil rights leader, will be the featured speaker at the Men’s Day Celebration at Metropolitan AME Church on Sunday, September 22. The congregation and community will convene in a single worship service at 10 a.m.

The special service, using the theme, “Mighty Men of Metropolitan: On the Solid Rock, Standing and Serving for 175 Years,” is part of Metropolitan’s year-long celebration of its l75-year history. Metropolitan, known as “the National Cathedral of African Methodism,” will also feature all men of the church, young and old; the Men’s Choir; presentation of the Legacy Award, and a full-course repast with musical entertainment. Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, senior pastor, invites the entire community to attend this signal event.

Jordan is a Senior Managing Director of Lazard Frères & Co. and Senior Counsel of the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Earlier in his career, Jordan held positions that included: President and CEO of the National Urban League, Inc.; Executive Director of the United Negro College Fund, Director of the Voter Education Project of the Southern Regional Council and Georgia Field Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. His presidential appointments include the President’s Advisory Committee for the Points of Light Initiative Foundation, the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on South Africa and the Presidential Clemency Board; In 1992, he served as the Chairman of the Clinton Presidential Transition Team. He holds a number of corporate directorships and holds honorary degrees from more than 60 American colleges and universities. Jordan is the author of Vernon Can Read! A Memoir.

Free parking is available directly across from the church and at 1615 M St. NW.

Connectional Ministry

METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH
1518 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20005

WASHINGTON -- Metropolitan, built by free blacks and former slaves
as a connectional church for the African Methodist
Episcopal denomination, is an important landmark of
American history. Frederick Douglass, whose funeral was
held at Metropolitan, often worshiped at the church. The
memorial service for Booker T. Washington and the
Washington funeral services for Rosa Parks were also
held there.

"Sundays at the Met" is designed to
highlight and acknowledge the importance of family,
culture, community and history in American heritage and
the significant role of individuals whose achievements
have made a notable contribution to the nation and the
African American legacy. Dr. Roland Carter will direct
the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni
Choir. Sherrod, Carter and Dr. Louis Sullivan, president
emeritus of Morehouse School of Medicine, will each
receive the “Metropolitan Legacy Award.”

The church is accessible by the McPherson Square and
Farragut North metro stops and free parking is available
for all attendees.